There Are Simple Solutions That May Help
If you’re waking up in the middle of the night with numbness in your hands, or if you regularly experience pain in your hands, fingers, or wrists, this kind of discomfort can cause sleepless nights and long days coping with what can be a variety of causes. The good news is the hand specialists at Berkshire Health Systems and Berkshire Orthopaedic Associate can help alleviate these issues.
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Jarod Goodrich, DO
Hand and Upper Extremity surgeon at Berkshire Orthopaedic Associates
Pain in your upper extremities can be very challenging to deal with, and it can impact on your daily routines and prevent you from living your best when you are older,” said Jarod Goodrich, DO, a Hand and Upper Extremity surgeon at Berkshire Orthopaedic Associates. “But aging doesn’t have to mean you have to live with this kind of pain. There are many ways we treat conditions that affect the hand, wrist, elbow and arm, often non-invasively or using minimally invasive surgical techniques.
What can cause these issues?
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a common source of hand numbness and pain, affecting up to 10 percent of the entire population. The tendons in the wrist swell and put pressure on the median nerve, one of three major nerves responsible for supplying feeling in the hand. Carpal tunnel syndrome is often successfully treated with bracing. Refractory cases may need surgical release of the transverse carpal ligament to alleviate pressure on the median nerve.
Trigger Finger
Trigger Finger occurs when the motion of the tendon that opens and closes the finger is limited, causing the finger to lock or catch as the finger is extended. A corticosteroid injection can often relieve this, but if it persists, a surgical procedure can help to release the trigger finger.
DeQuervain’s Tenosynovitis
DeQuervain’s Tenosynovitis occurs when the tendons around the base of the thumb are irritated or constricted. The word Tenosynovitis refers to a swelling of the tendon lining that allows tendons to glide smoothly. Thickening of this lining can cause pain and tenderness along the thumb side of the wrist. This is particularly noticeable when forming a fist, grasping or gripping things, or when turning the wrist. Treatment can involve:
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Activity modification
- A brace that supports the wrist and thumb
- A corticosteroid injection
Surgery may be considered when these treatments do not provide relief.
Ganglion Cysts
Ganglion cysts arise from the capsule of a joint or the sheath of a tendon. They can be found at different places on the wrist. A ganglion cyst that grows on the top of the wrist is called a dorsal ganglion. Others are found on the underside of the wrist between the thumb and pulse point; at the end joint of a finger, or at the base of a finger. Most of the time, these are harmless and may disappear in time.
Pain from Arthritis
Arthritis can often cause stiffness, swelling, pain and reduced mobility in your hands and wrists. Solutions range from corticosteroid injections to occupational therapy or minimally invasive surgical procedures or even joint replacement in some cases.
Don’t let hand or upper extremity issues slow you down. Talk to your primary care physician and ask for a referral to Berkshire Orthopaedic Associates, where both Drs. Jarod Goodrich and Matthew DeWolf specialize in this kind of care and can help return you to your active lifestyle.
For more information visit the Centers for Disease Control’s website on arthritis, or call 413-499-6600.